Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Learn Jazz Standards Podcast

Author: Brent Vaartstra: Jazz Musician, Author, and Entrepreneur Language: English Episodes: 100
There's a certain magic in hearing a great jazz standard played well, but the path from enthusiast to confident player is often shrouded in mystery. Learn Jazz Standards Podcast cuts through that fog with practical, actionable guidance delivered every week. Host Brent Vaartstra-a working jazz musician, author, and entrepreneur-draws from his own experience to demystify the process. He approaches the music not as an untouchable art form, but as a language you can learn to speak. You'll find that this podcast is less about abstract theory and more about the tangible steps you can take in your practice room. Episodes zero in on specific musical concepts, techniques, or standards, breaking them down into understandable parts. Brent answers the real questions musicians face, whether you're working on improvisation, chord voicings, or simply trying to internalize a tune's melody. Alongside these deep dives, the show features interviews with other musicians, sharing their stories and hard-won advice. The consistent thread is a belief that while jazz is challenging, it doesn't have to feel impossibly hard. If you're looking for a resource that feels like a trusted teacher offering clear direction, this is it. The Learn Jazz Standards Podcast builds a comprehensive toolkit, one episode at a time, for anyone committed to deepening their connection to this vibrant music.
Episodes
How 2 Chords Fooled a Pro Jazz Musician [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:58
In this Fast Track Friday episode, Brent shares an amusing and insightful story about how two simple chords fooled him, a professional jazz musician. Tasked with playing an easy song for his sister's wedding, Brent initi…
Can I Play Chord Extensions Even If My Bandmates Are Not? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:04
In this episode, Brent discusses an insightful question from listener John Gao about the use of chord extensions in jazz improvisation and band settings. He explores the intricacies of incorporating exotic chords like 11…
How Do I Improvise While Sight Reading? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
In this engaging episode of the Learn Jazz Standards podcast, Brent tackles a question from Neil, a tenor saxophonist from the UK, who wants to master sight reading jazz standards and improvising melodic solos on the fly…
How Do I Learn Chords By Ear? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:38
In this engaging episode, Brent tackles an intriguing question from listener Xing Shen about how to determine chords from sheet music without chord symbols. Brent explores practical strategies for learning chords by ear,…
Should I Imitate a Musician That Doesn't Play My Instrument? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:25
In this episode, Brent discusses about a question from listener Michael George, a clarinet player facing challenges with jazz standards often perceived as more suited to tenor saxophone. Michael seeks advice on emulating…
How to Measure If You Are Improving Or Not [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:04
Join Brent in this insightful Fast Track Friday episode, where he delves into the crucial topic of measuring your musical progress. He addresses a common concern among musicians: the feeling of not improving fast enough,…
What Is The Difference Between Jazz and Classical Harmony? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:34
In this engaging episode, Brent explores into the intriguing differences between classical and jazz harmony. He begins by acknowledging that while he's an expert in jazz harmony, his knowledge of classical harmony is mor…
How Do I Practice Enclosures? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:01
Join Brent as he explores the art of jazz improvisation. In this episode, Brent answers a listener's question about incorporating enclosures into chord tone maps, offering valuable insights into bebop language and improv…
Should I Transcribe Myself? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:08
In this episode, Brent discusses a listener question from Michael George about transferring solo ideas from the mind to the instrument. Brent addresses the disconnect between musical ideas in one's head and their executi…
Should I Learn Piano to Help With Jazz Improv? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:36
In this episode, Brent tackles a compelling question from Robert about the necessity of learning piano for musicians aiming to master improvisation. Drawing from his own experience as a guitarist navigating the intricaci…